Paul Lambert has offered his resignation as Norwich manager but the club this afternoon revealed in a statement that they have not accepted it.

Norwich this afternoon confirmed Lambert, who has been strongly linked with the vacant manager's post at Aston Villa, wanted to leave.

A statement read: "The club regrets to confirm that Paul Lambert has offered his resignation from his position as Norwich City manager.

"We have fought hard to keep Paul at Norwich and have not accepted his resignation whilst discussions with another club are taking place.

"However, whatever happens, we want to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything Paul has done for the club over the last three fantastic seasons."

Lambert, 42, took the Canaries up from npower League One after being brought in from Colchester in August 2009, and then immediately on into the Barclays Premier League, where they finished a creditable 12th place.

However, once Villa dispensed with the services of Alex McLeish after a disappointing campaign, the former Celtic and Borussia Dortmund midfielder was high on their wanted list.